Anti Austerity Alliance TD Mick Barry will challenge Transport Minister Shane Ross on his plans for Bus Eireann at today’s meeting of the Oireachtas Committee for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Deputy Barry told TheCork.ie how will put it to Minister Ross that it is the “economics of the madhouse” to consider closing down Bus Eireann over losses in its Expressway operation.

He said this morning: “Bus Eireann’s 2600 workers pay the state more than 50 million euro every year in payroll taxes. It is the economics of the madhouse to consider shutting down this company whose losses are only a fraction of that amount. The public subsidy for Bus Eireann is nearly 10 million less than it was in 2009. Public transport is an important service and must be funded accordingly.”
Mick Barry is the AAA/PBP rep on the Oireachtas Committee for Transport, Tourism and Sport.